Differences in Competencies of Associate and Baccalaureate Nurses
There are three educational pathways one may take in order to become a registered nurse. Students may attend a college offering an associate’s degree in nursing, ADN, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, BSN, or they may become a diploma nurse. Completion of one of these programs allows a student to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses, the NCLEX, which tests students at what has been determined to be the safe minimum competency to become a new graduate nurse (Creasia, PHD, RN & Friberg, DNP, RN, 2011).